Subject: Re: [Harp-L] "Oh Girl" position

[EGS1217@xxxxxxx]

Well, I just watched that clip twice...fullscreen and as it got to the end  
I got a much better 'up close' look at the harmonica ...(most definitely a  
harmonica) used. Looks something like a Goliath, perhaps?
 
Here it is again...the harmonicist is the man to the back and right of the  
lead singer.
 
 
The Chi-Lites:
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Cu8XA89JzA




If you listen to the original record - the sound is most definitely a  
harmonica. A melodica is close, but no cigar, although I'm personally now  very 
interested in Suzuki's new (and stunning version) as shown at SPAH..the  
'melodion' I think they call it? They didn't have the newer, bigger keyboard on 
 hand. Both Bobbie Giordano and myself were immediately 'on point' when we 
saw  the smaller one though. What a gorgeous instrument!  I've always had a 
mild  interest in the idea, but not until I saw this very professional 
looking  instrument had I seriously thought of getting one for myself (I believe  
it'll combine my keyboard playing with my love for harmonicas...a win-win), 
so  Suzuki just might win me over as a customer after all. Of course 
meeting  Waichiro Tashikawa - an absolutely lovely gentleman and VP of Suzuki, as 
well  as  getting to know Daron at last Garden State Festival didn't hurt.
 
 
 
So I did a little on-line sleuthing and found this next Chi-Lites video  
from 2008 - where the player is most definitely using a melodica....pointing 
up  the clear difference between this video and the first.  They may not be 
the  same individual playing...not sure at all.  Just saying that there's no  
question there are two completely different instruments used at different  
times.
 
 
_http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBpFtHf_SPY&feature=related_ 
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBpFtHf_SPY&feature=related) 
 
 
here's another clip from the Rolonda Watts' show - chatting with  the later 
group members,  clearly showing the melodica in  use then. 
 
 
 
_http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7pwfiPXgqc&feature=related_ 
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7pwfiPXgqc&feature=related) 
 
 
 
Elizabeth
 
"Message: 6
Date: Mon, 20 Sep 2010 10:33:27 +1000
From: "Rick  Dempster" <rick.dempster@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] "Oh Girl"  position
To: "joe leone" <3n037@xxxxxxxxxxx>, "JohnnieHarp"
<johnnieharp@xxxxxxxxx>
Cc: Harp L Harp L  <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>

Well, this looks like a 'vintage' clip (1974,  it says, and the clothes 
sure look like it) That sure sounds like a mouth organ  to me, more than a 
melodica....could be wrong though...wot do other reeders  think?
This is it:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Cu8XA89JzA

>>> joe leone  <3n037@xxxxxxxxxxx> 19/09/2010 10:17 >>>

On Sep 18, 2010,  at 6:16 PM, JohnnieHarp wrote:

> ... saw the Chi-Lites perform this on  a PBS Doo Wop type special
> within the last few years ... what they used  during their performance
> was a melodica rather than a harmonica  ...
>
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melodica 

What  year Johnnie? That would be an important factor. Walking  
backwards  through my mind, I seem to recall that this tune was  
originally done  in around the early 70s.
I don't think they had music videos back then but by  early 80s they  
DID. I remember taking the family on vacation to St.  Augustine, and  
the motel had MTV.
While the wife & son were  enjoying the pool, the girls were watching  
MTV. I came in to check on  them and happened to catch a video that  
was just starting.

A  large black woman who looked for all the world like Wilhelmina Mae   
Thornton was dipping a Hohner 270 into a glass of water. Then she   
shook it out and began to play it in a warbling fashion. I took that   
to be because there was still water in the chromatic. The tune was   
'Oh Girl'. I stayed and watched it because I had seen Willie Mae live   
back in the 60s in Louisiana. So in the early 80s, Willie Mae was   
still alive. Now here are a couple factors that don't jive.

1...  dipping a wood combed chromatic is a no no, and I don't think  
she  would have done that...voluntarily.
2... it sounds like a harmonica. There is  evidence of muting/hand  
cupping and 'Pulling' or milking the  reeds.
I don't think that works on a melodica. Melodica is used on the  movie  
'Endless Summer, and the timbre isn't close
3... Melodicas  are all blow instruments. I hear evidence of slight   
bending.

This bears scrutiny...    smo-joe" 

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